Creative Encounters: Feasibility Study for a Touring Exhibition to Promote Creative Learning in Science
Published by the Wellcome Trust in 2007, this report is the product of a feasibility study for a touring exhibition to promote creative learning in science. The study involved: • Evaluating the Trust's objectives for such an exhibition and making recommendations on the feasibility of meeting these objectives (and advising…
Believers, Seekers and Sceptics: What Teachers Think about CPD
In 2005 the Wellcome Trust commissioned this survey of teachers and managers in state maintained schools in England, focusing on three main aspects of continuing professional development (CPD): • What do different types of teacher want from CPD? • What are the benefits of CPD, and for whom? • What, if anything,…
Primary Science in the UK: a Scoping Study
The Wellcome Trust commissioned this research in May 2004. The Graduate School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast and the Science Department of St Mary’s University College Belfast carried out the work. The Wellcome Trust was seeking to establish an overview of the current status of primary science in the UK…
Primary Science Survey Report
This report presents the findings of an online survey during July 2011 for The Wellcome Trust. The survey asked primary school teachers for their views on the status of primary science, the opportunities available to their students and themselves as professionals, and how these things may have changed since the removal of SATs in…
A Level Biology, Higher Education and Research in the Biological Sciences
This report describes the findings of research carried out for the Wellcome Trust by the Centre for Education and Industry at the University of Warwick in 2002-2003. The Wellcome Trust was seeking to establish how well existing A Level Biology courses meet the needs of modern biological sciences, the aims of schools and FE colleges,…
Biomedical Horizons
Biomedical Horizons is a multi-pronged project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, designed to raise awareness and spark discussion about the biomedical sciences – from pursuing a career to their role within society. The aim of this resource is to: • raise awareness of biomedical sciences and the variety of careers in…
Nano Pairs
Produced by Citizen Science, this resource contains a set of cards that can be printed and used in a 'matching pairs' game. When completed, the pairs pose questions which students consider, around the use of nanotechnology. Suitable for students aged 11-14 the activity introduces students to some of the potential effects…
Genome Games
Produced as part of the Citizen Science project, these materials allow students to explore issues around human genetics using familiar game contexts. Suitable for students aged 11-16, the materials utilise activites similar to Pictionary, Taboo and Consequences to introduce a variety of issues. The materials encourage students…
Genetic Testing
Produced for the Citizen Science project, this resource enagages students in the debate around genetic testing and screening. It is suitable for students aged 14-16 and post-16. The activity provides an opportunity to investigate genetic disorders before considering a number of statements and situations concerning the social and…
Exploring Issues: a Teachers' Guide
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this teacher guidance summarises ideas on how to run successful discussions and debates within the secondary classroom. Examples illustrate how a range of techniques, such as TV chat show formats, can be used successfully. These materials will help teachers to: • run a variety of…
Drugs on the Brain
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this resource engages students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding the use of drugs. In this activity, debate commences by introducing characters, scenarios and issues connected with drugs. Students are given opportunities to hot seat as experts or characters…
In Vitro Fertilisation
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this pack of resources allows students to learn about and debate the issues around in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Containing teacher notes and student activity sheets, the materials will engage students to think about, express and critically evaluate IVF. Suitable for students aged 14-16,…
Aftershot Total
This resource from the Citizen Science project is designed to support Key Stage Three students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding alcohol consumption.The social and biological effects of alcohol form an important topic for young people to discuss. The marketing of alcohol, underage drinking, health implications…
Meet the Gene Machine
Supported by the Wellcome Trust and developed by the Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, Meet the Gene Machine is a fun, creative and comprehensive teaching package allowing teachers and young people to discuss the ethical and social issues inherent in the field of genetics. Each 'Meet the Gene…
Reports on Educational Issues
A selection of downloadable reports, commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, on issues in science education including science and society, continuing professional development, national curriculum primary science and Key Stage Two assessment. The five reports featured are: • National Primary Science Survey (England) In-service…
Intestinal Worms
From the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows how environment and living conditions can lead to infection by a range of energy sapping intestinal worms. The three main worms infecting humans are hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. The animation shows how these parasites can be transmitted in areas where soil is contaminated with…
Leishmaniasis Life Cycle
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasite transmitted by the sand fly. Two animations, from the Wellcome Trust, show the life cycle of the parasite. They illustrate how the leishmania parasites enter the sand fly and matures in preparation for human infection. The bite from an infected sand fly can lead to disfiguring…
Lymphatic Filariasis
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows the complete life cycle of tiny parasitic worms as they move between human and mosquito hosts. Lymphatic filariasis is a disabling disease found in low-income areas of many tropical and subtropical countries. Parasitic worms multiply in the lymphatic system and release larvae…
Malaria Life Cycle
From the Wellcome Trust, these animations show the life cycle of the malaria parasite. They illustrate how the parasite develops in the mosquito before being transmitted to a human host following a blood meal. The protozoan then develops inside the host's liver and red blood cells, causing the symptoms of malaria and releasing…
Schistosomiasis Life Cycle
This animation, from the Wellcome Trust, illustrates how several species of the Schistosoma parasitic worms exploit humans and fresh water snails. The parasites use rivers and streams to transfer between the two animals, using each for a specific phase of its life cycle. The parasitic worms are able to penetrate skin and infect…
Syphilis
From the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows how syphilis, a sexually transmitted bacterial disease (STD), can infect a person's lymph nodes. If this initial infection is not treated, the bacteria can spread to cause damage to the heart, aorta, brain, eyes and bones. In some cases, untreated syphilis can result in blindness,…
Trypanosomiasis Life Cycle
Two animations, from the Wellcome Trust, illustrate the life cycle of the trypanosomiasis protozoan parasite. They illustrate the journey of these single celled parasites, which cause human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, from the gut of the tsetse fly into the human bloodstream. If left untreated, the disease can be…
Tuberculosis - Infection and Transmission
From the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows how the human immune system attempts to contain a tuberculosis infection and how the bacteria are transmitted to new people. Tuberculosis usually affects the respiratory system but it can develop in any part of the body. The human immune system commonly contains the infection but a…
Zoom in on Your Genome
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this animation helps to illustrate where and how the human genome is stored within our cells and bodies. It takes a journey which starts with the whole human body before looking into a liver cell and then the cell's nucleus. The animation shows the arrangements of chromosomes within the nucleus…
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Interactive resource
Chagas' Disease Life Cycle
From the Wellcome Trust, these animations illustrate the life cycle of the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' Disease. The parasites use a blood-sucking insect called a triatomine as an incubator and vector. The protozoan parasite mautures and reproduces in the insect before being deposited on humans in the insect’s…
Dengue Virus Replication and Transmission
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, these animations take a detailed look at the molecular mechanisms that allow the dengue virus to subvert the cells of its mammalian host, allowing it to replicate and spread. Dengue is an example of an RNA virus. Being bitten by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus can lead to a broad range of symptoms…
DNA Sequencing
From the Wellcome Trust, these animations show three different methods for the sequencing of DNA. The Sanger method, developed in 1975, illustrates an early way of determining a DNA sequence. Fluorescent bases are incorporated into fragments of DNA that are made from the sample being sequenced. Analysis of the fragments enables…
DNA to Protein - Transcription and Translation
This animation, from the Wellcome Trust, illustrates how the DNA code is used to build protein molecules inside our cells. It shows how, during the process of transcription, polymerase unzips the DNA and uses it as a template to produce a strand of messenger RNA (mRNA) . The animation then goes on to show how this mRNA, along…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Interactive resource
HIV Life Cycle
This animation, from the Wellcome Trust, shows how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects white blood cells and uses its RNA to produce a strand of DNA which becomes integrated in the host cell's genome. HIV replicates inside white blood cells called CD4+ T cells. Here, viral DNA integrates with human DNA and acts…
Nanoscience
From the Wellcome Trust, 'Big Picture' looks at contemporary issues in science. Dealing with things smaller than 100 nanometres (for comparison, a human hair is 80,000 nm wide). Nanotechnologies are fast becoming the 'next big thing'. Yet while nano-enthusiasts say they are the future, nano-sceptics are concerned…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Information sheet
Obesity
From the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the 'Big Picture' series reviews the causes, health consequences, and personal and social impact of obesity, and how it might be tackled. How is body weight controlled? Why is the incidence of obesity increasing? What is the impact on people and society? What can be done about it?…
Thinking
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. The human brain may be the most complex structure in the universe. The brain is so powerful that it is attempting to understand itself, through research. New techniques have opened up ways of exploring the brain. Functional…